A bar fire at a Swiss Alps ski resort on New Year's Day left about 40 people dead and 115 injured, according to a tally. Many of the injured were reported to be in serious condition.
According to AFP, AP and the BBC, Valais Police Chief Frédéric Gysel said at a news conference on the 1st (local time), "So far, we have identified about 40 dead and 115 injured," adding, "Many of the injured are in serious condition." Earlier, local authorities had referred to the death toll only as dozens.
The fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. at the bar "Le Constellation" in Crans-Montana, Valais, a world-renowned ski resort. With New Year's revelers packing the venue, the blaze spread in an instant, and evacuation was reportedly difficult because exits were narrow.
Stefan Ganthey, Valais Minister for Security, Institutions and Sports, avoided a direct answer when asked if any of the victims were minors but said, "There were many young people enjoying the festive atmosphere on New Year's Eve."
Several hypotheses have been raised about the cause of the fire. Valais Prosecutor General Béatrice Pilleux said the leading theory for now is that an ordinary fire escalated into a major blaze. An explosion had initially been floated as a possible trigger, but authorities are leaning toward the view that an explosion was not the direct cause, the BBC reported.
Foreign media cited witness accounts that fireworks attached to champagne bottles or candle flames caught the bar's ceiling and started the fire. Pilleux declined to confirm when asked about this, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Swiss President Guy Parmelin said at a news conference, "One of the worst disasters our country has experienced," mourning the victims. Parmelin, who began the term that day, said flags would be flown at half-staff for five days. In Switzerland, seven ministers of the Federal Council take turns serving one-year presidential terms.